Two Guys Garage Podcast
Brenton Productions
Updated 2 days agoExpert gearheads and longtime co-hosts Kevin Byrd and Willie B bring their hallmark brand of automotive knowledge and passion from the TV screen to the podcasting world. Two Guys Garage Podcast covers virtually every aspect of the automotive aftermarket, from repair to restoration, from customization to innovations, all in the same loose, just-havin’-fun manner fans have been enjoying on MotorTrendTV for years.
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Episodes (674)
Cleveland’s Automotive Playground
Cleveland Power & Performance is a one-of-a-kind hybrid: part salvage yard, part custom build shop, and all-around amazing. Kevin describes it as “a go-to place for nothing but the awesome stuff,” and second-generation owner Rick Fragnoli doesn’t disagree. In fact, his famed “Reverence” restomod – a ’69 Charger with a 6.2L supercharged Hellcat engine – recently sold for around $400K. “If it’s a $20 part or a $20,000 part,” Rick tells the guys, “we’ll work with whatever parameters people need.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Diving into Diesel
“Diesels are the bomb,” raves Kevin, “but there’s some things that go along with owning a diesel that you’ve got to be aware of, and some days you can get bit.” To illustrate this point, Kyle Fischer of Hot Shot’s Secret joins the guys to drop some science and offer some solutions for avoiding common pitfalls such as fuel gelling. “Diesel fuel in America sucks,” opines Fischer, adding that “we look at the problems that are caused by the fuel and how to protect these fuel systems.” Chief ingredients among these: lubricity additive, cetane booster, injector cleaner, water dispersant, rust and corrosion inhibitor, and fuel stabilizer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Suspension of Disbelief
Kevin and Willie love wheelin’ and everything that has to do with steering and/or suspension, so they’re pumped to get a master class in bumps and humps from Frank Vasquez of KW Suspensions. From entry level all the way up to professional racing, KW is the epitome of German precision engineering in the category. With over 16 different options for any particular car, Frank’s quick to point out that they’re “just scratching the surface with some of our truck stuff.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Wiring, Simply
To say that not everyone enjoys wiring a vehicle is an epic understatement. Fortunately, Chris Squier of Hotwire Auto does, and he’s made it his mission to remove as much of the pain from the process as possible. Kevin and Willie chat with Chris about their recent experience using his simplified engine harness on Kevin’s 1970 Fastback project. “The end product Willie said looks factory, but I think it looks better than factory, the way you guys shroud the wires and protect everything” says Kevin. “It’s durable, it’s tough, it looks good, and it’s clean.” Adds Willie, “Talk about stealthy, it’s really amazing the job you guys have done to be able to hide it.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Magnificent Choir
Today’s podcast is all about making beautiful noise, and no one knows more about this than Magnaflow’s Rich Waitas. Kevin calls it “the magnificent choir that comes out of the back of exhaust pipes… it’s an art form,” albeit one whose days may well be numbered as EV appears ready to displace IC and the sound it generates. Yet, for all those like Willie who believe that “the right sound means everything,” there is still much to be adored and admired. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Drifting with Matt Field
As a professional Formula Drift driver, Matt Field rides on rails with controlled chaos underneath them. Essentially flying on pavement while going sideways at top speed, this occupation requires mad skills, intense concentration, and a warrior mentality. “These are full-blown race cars… it’s just a different form of race cars,” he tells the guys in a recent sit-down. “We want the stickiest tires with the lowest pressure with the grippiest suspension and we’re trying to go as fast as possible with our bumper on the wall.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Clutch Maneuvers
Today’s podcast is all about rolling gears using the notorious third pedal. But make no mistake; it’s not all fun and games. “There’s so much going on with a clutch,” warns Kevin. “There’s a lot of pitfalls, you can go right down into a deep dark hole that you didn’t want to be in if you go down the wrong path.” Luckily, Geoff Gerko, owner of Mantic Clutch USA is on hand to guide the guys down the right path. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Two Guys Talk Car TV
Kevin and Willie take listeners behind the scenes of the TV show as they discuss their respective paths to “Two Guys Garage” coming from two different directions, landing in one spot, and bonding as partners in crime. Trained as an engineer, Kevin reveals how stints working with the legendary Carroll Shelby on “Rides” and Chip Foose on “Overhaulin’” led to his 14-season stint (and counting) on “Two Guys”. Willie details how his passion for cars and career in radio led to a spot on “PINKS”, and how he was “a little bit like a deer in the headlight” during his first season with Kevin. “I’m a little squarish in a round hole somedays but it works,” notes Kevin, “but together we’re gonna do it better!” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Inside Mecum
John Kraman, the voice of Mecum Auctions drops in to chat with the guys about the exploding classic car auction scene. “We are on one heck of a roll, on pace to set another all-time record north of $600 million in the sale of collector vehicles as the world’s largest collector car auction company.” Learn firsthand about the ins and outs, what’s hot and what’s not, what to expect and what to avoid in this dynamic and thrilling market. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Beat the Heat
When it comes to thermal management, you’ve got to protect everything under the hood (not to mention the driver and passengers!) from extreme heat. The guys at Heatshield Products have been designing innovative items that make vehicles perform better, last longer, be more durable, safer, and more comfortable since 1985. Bruce Heye and Chris Schwartz are a couple of car guys committed to creating highly affordable products anyone can use. “You have these crazy space age materials,” Kevin points out, “but you’ve put them in form factors that make it easy to install.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Resto Moto
Foo Dog Motorcycles in Denver, CO is the brainchild of traveling-musician-turned-classic-restorer Carson Allen, a die-hard fan of vintage 1960s to early 80s Japanese bikes, with a special affinity for those in distress. Of course, parts for these lost legends can be pretty hard to come by, and that’s okay with him. “Preserving the past is really my focus,” he tells Willie and Kevin. “I know that these bikes we put enough love and care and attention to detail into them that they’re never gonna go back to the state they were before.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Byrd’s ’70 Fastback Build Revs Up
In Part 2 of this ongoing series of podcasts, the guys do a deep dive on details of Kevin’s Mustang project, including the centerpiece Coyote swap he’s pegged to deliver 800-1000 hp. “It’s gonna be my track day car, for sure. It’s gonna be nasty but refined,” says Kevin, noting that a chunk of the build will be shot for an upcoming episode of the TV show. His plan is to build the car “like a ship in a bottle – can I get everything in and under and leave the outside of the bottle without cracking it? That’s the challenge.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
As the Wheels Turn
There are all types of wheels for different applications from different processes at different price points. Casting, flow formed and forged; aluminum, steel, and composites; three-piece and monoblock. It can all seem overwhelming, especially since wheels have so much power to make or break everything about the driving experience. Joining the guys to demystify the confusion is Dave Schardt, President of Forgeline Wheels. “We say it all the time,” notes Kevin. “The right wheels and the right stance can take just any ride and take it up a couple of notches.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Alexis DeJoria at 300 MPH
“There is nothing like nitro methane power, the kind that makes 11,000 HP and flames coming out of the pipes,” NHRA Funny Car Driver Alexis DeJoria tells the guys in a candid pre-race sit-down. “We accelerate quicker than a fighter pilot does.” High adrenaline and outsized levels of risk run hand in glove, putting tremendous pressure on the crew chief, the DC Motorsports team, and herself. The ability to maintain laser focus while piloting a 300 mile per hour rocket can mean not just the difference between winning and losing, but between life and death. It’s a physical and emotional rollercoaster ride at maximum speed. “You have the highest highs with this kind of racing and the lowest lows.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Wiring Untangled
In this episode’s intro, Willie makes it abundantly clear that he absolutely hates wiring. That is, he did until he discovered American Autowire’s all-in-one kits that make what can seem like a daunting task as easy as possible. “Wiring (for) a lot of people is black magic, it scares them to death,” says Engineering Support Manager Don Bock, “and really, if you understand the concept of it, it’s really not hard.” Adds Kevin, “Don’t be afraid, just get in there and do it!” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Godzilla Wreaks Havoc
Godzilla is Ford’s latest monster engine, their supersized response to the wildly successful LS platform. Kevin likens it to an LS on steroids with more cubic inches, while today’s guest Doug DeLong of Well Sorted offers it up as further proof of the adage, “there’s no replacement for displacement.” Recently relocated from Denver to Atlanta, Well Sorted is on the forefront of installations and different applications for this powerful beast, “the culmination of a lot of lessons learned” along the way. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Lingenfelter Goes Faster
It’s a well-acknowledged fact that Kevin and Willie’s longtime friend and living legend Ken Lingenfelter has a finger on all things fast. A true car guy born and bred, he caught the bug at the tender age of 10 when he first laid eyes on a ‘63 split-window Corvette coming off the assembly line, courtesy of his Detroit exec dad. In the decades since, he’s remained a dedicated fan, “absolutely enchanted with the new C8,” and with the new Z06 on the way, “probably more passionate about it today than I’ve ever been.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Diving into Rear Ends
Finding a powerful powertrain for an old hot rod or truck is no longer the difficult challenge it once was. Nowadays it’s finding the right rear end that’s the real challenge. Have no fear though, Jon Henson of Currie Enterprises has a plan. “We want to take the voodoo out of a rear end and basically make it an easy purchase, an educated purchase, and something that now you can spec out based on your build and how you’re gonna use the vehicle,” he tells Willie and Kevin. “The ultimate goal is to make sure that at the end of the day when the customer gets in his car and he’s driving and he just wants that freedom, that he’s gonna get that feeling.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Rockin’ in Cleveland
Cleveland Power and Performance is a salvage yard like no other – a wonderland of curated parts and pieces, drive trains and engines harvested from crashed Camaros, Mustangs and Hellcats – that also happens to build mind-blowing hot rods like the noted ’69 Dodge Charger “Reverence” and last year’s SEMA Show stunner NIKA ‘79 Bronco. Owner Rick Fragnoli makes his third visit to the podcast to discuss all the latest goings on in the aftermarket and what lies ahead as the EV era dawns. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Byrd’s ’70 Fastback Build Begins
Kevin’s on a mission to not just rebuild but to reconceive the iconic 1970 Mustang Fastback he missed out on in his youth. In this first installment of an ongoing series, Kevin reveals his ambitious gameplan for the project, including how he came up with it, what he’s doing with it, and the direction he’s taking it. “It’s gonna be a daily driver hot rod that rips,” he tells Willie, “I’m gonna just hammer the bank account and I’m gonna get ‘er done!” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Total Engine TLC
The average age of vehicles on the road has ticked up to an all-time high of 12 years. Keeping them running cleaner and longer is the mission of TotalEnergies, the massive French company doing big things on a global scale. Luis Cerqueira and Darren Lesinski join the podcast to discuss what technologies are coming down the pike in terms of oil, natural gas, electricity, hydrogen, wind, and solar power. As the company strives to become greener in several respects, they’re at the cutting edge of developing oils that let the OEs literally design the engine around the oil! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How Modern Suspensions are Making Old Cars Cool Again
Frank Vasquez, Chris Atkinson, and Joseph Torres of KW Suspensions check in with the guys for a Master Class in making old cars new again. “Nothing wakes a car up like putting new suspension components, parts, and pieces under it,” notes Willie at the outset, enabling them to drive like they were meant to be driven. “You would not believe the difference in the right spring and damper combination,” adds Kevin, “and the technology is through the roof.” Learn why friends don’t let friends cut springs or bump stocks; why shock speed is specific to how fast the shock is being either collapsed or extended; and why making too many changes at once can cause all manner of unforced errors. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Two Guys, Three Pedals
Willie and Kevin are big fans of grabbin’ gears and heel toeing the clutch, especially when a TREMEC tranny’s involved. “There are few things in a vehicle other than the transmission that can really change the whole dynamic of your driving,” notes Kevin, “and really bring the fun factor in.” Mike Kidd is a kindred spirit who also happens to be TREMEC’s Aftermarket Business Manager, and today he joins the guys for a lively update on all the latest goings on at the company. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Steering Clear
Back in the day, steering columns offered only rudimentary functions like three-on-the-tree. Nowadays, you can retrofit just about any vehicle with state-of-the-art tech featuring spectacular upgrades. IDIDIT President/GM Trever Cornwell joins the guys for a discussion about the evolution and ergonomics of steering columns. “We tell people, ‘If you can dream it, we can build it,’” notes Trever, citing everything from aluminum to 24k gold-plated columns for very specific steering applications. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Gunslinger of PSCA
Mel Roth launched PSCA Racing 22 years ago, nurturing its regional roots as the Pacific Street Car Association into the national platform now named Premier. Among the 6 to 16 different classes of racing depending on venue, the XDR Series spotlights 3000 hp door cars running radial tires on the 1/8-mile drag. “The nature of the beast is you wanna go fast,” Mel tells the guys. “You wanna win, but you really wanna go fast!” Or, as Kevin puts it, “It’s a real cool, relatable racing series with a whole lot of who-knows-what’s-gonna- happen!” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices